Equipment Needed
- Pucks
- Small net
- Cones to mark a battle zone
Setup
- Mark a small zone roughly the size of a faceoff circle along the boards, with a small net at one end.
- One attacker starts with the puck along the boards; one defender starts in a gap position.
Instructions
- On the whistle, the attacker tries to protect the puck, work off the boards, and get a shot on the small net.
- The defender closes the gap under control, using the stick and body position to angle the attacker away from the net.
- Play out each battle for 5 to 8 seconds — long enough to compete, short enough to stay high-intensity.
- Rotate partners after each battle so different matchups occur throughout the drill.
Coaching Points
- Attackers keep the puck on the far side of the body from the defender, using the body as a shield.
- Defenders stay square, using the stick to poke or lift rather than reaching in with the body first.
- Short, quick edges win board battles — encourage tight turns rather than wide, looping ones.
- Whistle battles quickly to keep intensity high and prevent players from coasting through a long puck battle.
Variation
Add a second attacker for a 2v1 low-zone read, or start the puck with a dump-in from the coach to simulate a race for possession.